Portal Fact or Fiction: Alabama Entries, Devin Leary's New Home, Spencer Sanders to the SEC

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports
By Mike Farrell | Last updated 12/6/22

In today’s Fact or Fiction — transfer portal edition — I look at three big recent topics from the transfer portal and decide whether the statement is indeed FACT or if it’s FICTION.

1. The Alabama entries are alarming.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

Nah. I never worry about Alabama and while they lost a few offensive linemen Monday and some speed receivers, it won’t matter. Why? Because Alabama has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country and Saban can pull elite players from the portal at will. If they lost a Dallas Turner or something I’d be worried, but these guys can go.

2. Devin Leary favors Illinois.

Farrell’s take: FACT

His younger brother is a QB there, Bret Bielema did wonders with another former NC State transfer in Russell Wilson and there are coaches on staff with history with Leary. Mizzou is in here and others are kicking the tires but right now I think he likes Illinois.

3. Spencer Sanders will pick either Florida or Tennessee.

Farrell’s take: FICTION

I have heard these two schools mentioned with the Oklahoma State QB but I don’t see him in either place. While every team has a young QB they want to develop that doesn’t eliminate programs so keep an eye on Penn State here. I’m not saying he’ll go there and supplant Drew Allar who has a huge ceiling, but Sanders was very enamored with James Franklin back in high school. Texas A&M and Baylor are others to keep an eye on as he liked them long ago. It’s anyone’s guess here and he would be a nice stopgap option for the Gators or Vols but I don’t see it.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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